Closure operator and linkage therefor



May 2, 1950 s. c. REYNAUD CLOSURE OPERATOR AND LINKAGE THEREFOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 26, 1945 (Ittornegs May 2, 1950 s. c. REYNAUD CLOSURE OPERATOR AND LINKAGE THEREFOR Filed March 26, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 (Ittornegs Patented May 2, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLOSURE OPERATOR AND LINKAGE THEREFOR 9 Claims.

The present invention relates to window structures, and more particularly to an operating mechanism therefor.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a window operating mechanism for multiple vertically swinging sash constructions in which the vertically swinging sash membersare interconnected by a travelling bar or the like and are adapted to be opened and closed by swinging the lowermost sash member vertically about its horizontal hinge members.

Another object of the invention is to provide an operating mechanism for window structures or the above-mentioned type which may be operated to swing the sash members of the window structure to an open or closed position with considerable ease.

Another object of the invention is to provide an operating mechanism in which a simple lever system is employed for swinging the lowermost sash member on its horizontal hinge connections, which is installed between the lowermost rail of the window frame and the lowermost rail of the lower window sash, so that when the lower sash is in its closed position, the operating mechanism will be concealed from view.

Another object of the invention is to provide an operating mechanism for vertically swinging sash members having mutually engaging locking surfaces associated with the linkage thereof, which are adapted to cooperate and lock the swinging sash member in a closed position, and against opening by an unauthorized person from the exterior of the building in which the structure is installed.

Another object of the invention is to provide an operating mechanism including a travelling rack bar to one end of which is pivoted a lever arm having its free end slidably and pivotally connected to the lower rail of the vertically swinging sash member, so that when the travelling rack bar is moved to and fro, the link or lever will pivot about an oscillating fulcrum link directly connected and pivoted to the window frame and thereby swing the vertically swinging sash member to an open or closed position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a. window operating mechanism of the abovementioned type in which a manual control crank is employed for imparting reciprocatory motion to the travelling rack bar, the axis of which extends upwardly and outwardly on a compound angle so as to he dispofiectin 'close' proximity to the window frame and thereby position said manual operating member out of the path of ob structions and in a position within easy reach to facilitate operation of the mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide a window operating mechanism of the above-mentioned type in which means is provided on the travelling rack bar engageable with means on the fulcrum link for imparting initial opening and final closing movement to the window sash upon operation of the manual operator member therefor.

Another object of the invention is to provide a window operating mechanism of the above-mentioned' type in which a conical worm is affixedto the manual crank member so as to driving-1y engage the travelling rack bar and permit the axis of the crank to be arranged on a skew orcompound angle so as to be removed from obstructions and the like such as desks, chairs and other equipment.

Another object of the invention is to provide a window operating mechanism of the abovementioned type in which the travelling rack bar is permited to move a slight distance relative to the lever arm or sash operating link so that the mutually engaging loc ing surfaces will be locked together or separated during final closing or initial opening movement of the window sash and to permit the means on the travelling rack bar and fulcrum lever to engage and exert a final closing or initial opening movement to the window sash, depending upon the direction of rotation of the manual crank operator.

Other obiects and advanages of the invention will become anparent during the course of the following description of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a hodzontal cross-sectional view of a window s ructu e, showing the lowermost rail of the window sash broken away and illus rating an embodiment of the invention installed on the lower rail of the window frame;

Figure 2 is a horizontal cross sectional View similar to Figure I showing the operating link or lever arm of the operating mechanism extended and illustrating the various positions of the mechanism when the window sash is in an open position;

1 on the irregular line ime of Figure 2 looking'in 3 the direction of the arrows and illustrating the various positions of the operating linkage when the window is in a partly opened position;

Figure is a vertical cross-sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 1, looking in the direction of the arrows and illustrating in detail the pivotal connection and arrangement of the mutually engaging locking members between the lever arm and travelling rack bar;

Figure 6 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on the irregular line 6-3 of Figure 3 looking in the direction of the arrows and further showing the positions of the mutually engaging looking members when the travelling rack bar has been moved to the limit of its sliding travel relative to the operating lever or arm so as to disengage the mutually engaging locking mem bers and permit opening of the window sash and free swinging pivotal movement between the travelling rack bar and operating lever; and

Figure '7 is a fragmentary edge elevational view of the travelling rack bar illustrating the conical driving worm in perspective to show the manner in which the conical driving worm is presented to the teeth on the travelling rack bar.

Detailed description of the invention In the drawings, the reference character 5 will generally be employed to designate a window frame to which is pivoted for vertical swinging movement a series of sash members i arranged to swing one above the other. The invention is particularly adapted for window structures having multiple swinging sash members, but ohviously can be used where only a single swinging sash is employed. The window frame 5 includes a lower horizontal rail 8 connected at its ends by vertically extending side rails 9 attached to an upper horizontal rail in the usual manner. The vertically swinging sash member 1 includes a lower horizontal rail I!) connected at its ends tovertically extending side rails H which are similarly connected to an upper horizontal cross rail (not shown). The window frame 5 and vertically swinging sash I may be formed of suitable metal bars of the desired cross-sectional shape and, as shown in the drawing, the lower and side rails 8 and 9 of the window frame are provided with inwardly extending flanges i2 and H3 at one end of the web portion thereof and outwardly extending flanges l4 and 5 at the other edge of the web portion thereof. In a like manner, the top, bot tom and side rails of the window sash l are provided with inwardly and outwardly extendin flanges l3 and H respectively which are adapted to engage a portion of the inwardly and outwardly extending flanges I2, l3 and l4, l5 of the window frame 5 when the sash member is in a closed position.

The invention comprises an operating mechanism for swinging the sash member 7 upon its horizontal hinge pins and said operating mechanism is installed on the lower horizontal cross rail 8 of the window frame between the flanges l2 and M thereof. As shown more clearly in Figure 2, the web portion of the horizontal cross rail 8 is provided with a travelling bar guide 18 which has its base portion l9 affixed to the web of the lower horizontal cross rail 8 by machine screws or the like 26. Formed along each edge of the base portion I9 is a pair of upwardly extending flanges having inwardly bent guide portions 2| and 22 for slidably receiving a travellingv raekbar 23 which is adapted to open the sash member I when moved in one direction and close 4 the sash member when moved in an opposite direction. The inwardly extending guide flange 22 is interrupted by a cutaway portion 24 to expose the teeth 25 formed along one edge of the travelling rack bar 23 and permit engagement thereof by a conical worm which will be hereinafter more fully described.

slidably connected to one end of the travelling rack bar 23 is a pivot bracket 23 having a pair of longitudinally extending slots 27 for slidably receiving guide pins 23 in the form of screws or the like threadedly anchored in the travelling rack bar or otherwise amxed in place. The pivot bracket 23 is oiifset as at 29 to provide a looped portion 39 (Figures 3 and 6) having an opening 3| for receiving a pivot pin 32 which is rigidly secured to one end of an operating link 33 (Figure 5). The pivot pin 32 is provided with a flattened and reduced portion 34 which extends through an elongated opening 35 formed in one end of the operating link or lever 33 so that the end thereof may be overturned or opened as at 35 to securely lock the pivot pin 32 to the end of the operating lever arm 33 in a fixed relative position. The opposite end of the pivot pin 32 is enlarged as at 31 and is provided with a diametrically extending slot 38 for slidably receiving a key member 39 having flattened side wall portions t9 shaped and-arranged to provide mutually engaging locking surfaces with the diametrically extending slot 38 in the enlarged portion 31 of the pivot pin 32. The key member 39 is afiixed to the travelling rack bar 23 by being riveted or otherwise fastened in place as at 42 and in order to prevent the key member 39 from rotating relative to the travelling rack bar 23, the same is received in an elongated opening 43 therein, simislgr to the opening 35 in the operating lever arm The operating lever arm 33 has its free swinging end slidably connected to the lower sash rail H] and, as illustrated in Figures 1 and i, said free swinging end is provided with a looped guide 44 formed from a piece of bent metal which has its 2 ends 45 and 46 arranged in contactual engagement so as to be pivotally attached or secured by means of a pivot pin 4! to the operating lever arm 33. The looped portion of the guide member 4-4 encircles a guide rod 48 which has its ends angled and offset as at 49 to provide loops 5!) for receiving anchoring screws or the like as at 5| to securely hold the guide bar 48 in place. It will thus be seen that relative movement between the operating lever and lower sash rail Ill will be obtained when the operating lever 33 is extended and retracted when the travelling rack bar 23 is moved to and. fro. A reinforcing flange 52 is formed on one edge of the operating lever 33, and said operating lever is provided with slightly offset portions 53 and 54 to facilitate folding thereof to a position above the travelling rack bar 23 when the sash member is in its closed position.

Secured to the inwardly extending flange l2 of K fulcrum lever 58 is pivotally attached to the oper-' ating lever 33 by means of pivot pins 69 (Figures 2 and 3); Theiulcrum lever 58 is provided with ofiset portions 5| and SZ forming an intermediate oblique portion having a'cam surface 63 along" each edge of said fulcrum lever 58. Formed'in tegral with the gear casing 1551s a tubular boss 65 which extends upwardly and outwardlyflon a compound angle and is provided with abearins opening fifi for receiving a control shaft 61. A!- fixed to one end of the control shaft 61 isa frustoconical worm 69 having spirally arranged gear teeth It! on the peripheral surface thereof. The gear teeth are arranged as shownin Figure I so as to drivingly engage the teeth 25. along one edge of the travelling rack bar .23 and impart to and fro movement thereto when a. handcrank H on the opposite end of the control shaft 6.! is rotated by means of the handle l2. thereon The frusto-conical worm 69 extendsvthrough' a suitable opening in the gear casing 55 as well as tlre inwardly extending flange 12 of the lower sash rail 8 so as to project as shown iii-Figure 2 into engagement with the racir teeth between the inturned guide portions 22 on the travelling bar slide guide 19. Similarly, the inwardly extending flange i2 of the lower window frame ralllis provided with a longitudinal. slot 13 for allowing free swinging movement of the fulcrum lever 58 during opening and closing movement oithe operating mechanism. By reason of the peculiar shape of thefrusto-conical: worm 89 and'the arrangement of the spiral teeth I8 thereon, the control shaft 61 of the operating'mechauism may extend on a compound angle. so as to be entirely removed from obstructions but yetwithin easy reach and grasp of the operator, to facilitate operation of the window operating mechanism.

The operating lever arm 13 may bejcut away as at 15 to permit closing movementofthelever arm and prevent interference thereoif with the frusto-conical worm 59 which projects a slight distance into the channel of the lowerwindow frame rail 8.

Secured to one end of the travelling rack .bar 23 is a roller I6 which is adapted toengage. the cam surface 64 of the fulcrum lever 58 during movement of the travelling rack bar 23 in. one direction of its movement. Also secured. to the travelling rack bar 23 adjacent. the opposite end and on the upper face thereof is a cam block; H of triangular shape having a cam surface warranged. so as to engage the curved end of the fillcrum lever 58 adjacent the pivot pinill. The cam surface 18 is adapted to cooperate with the curved end of the fulcrum lever 58 when the travelling rack bar is moved in another of its. two directions of movement so as to exert aslight outward force on the pivot pin 60 and break the joint, between the aligned pivots 32, 41' and I 60.

Operation of the invention With the operating crank II. arranged on a compound angle, it will be seenf'that the handle I2 may be easily grasped so as to rotatethe control shaft 61 in either direction and thereby move the travelling rack bar 23 to and fro on a slide guide is. As this occurs, the operating lever 13 and fulcrum lever 58 are extended and contracted accordingly so as to swing the lower free swing ing edge of the sash member Howard and away from the window frame 5.

In order to give a clear description of theoperation of the operating mechanism, it will first be assumed that the swinging sash member I is in its closed position with the flanges of the sash member seated against thefiangesof the window frame. In this position, the swinging sash memher '1' is locked againstoutwardnswinsmgmovement by reason of the fact that-theoperating lever arm 3 3 islocked against rotation at the pivot connection 32 thereof with the travelling rack bar 23. It is to be understood that the key 35 is received in the diametrically extending slot 38 when the sash member is closed, as is clearly shown in Figures 1 and 3. When it is desired! open the swinging sash member I, the handle I2 of the crank II is rotated to cause the frustoconical worm 69 to engage the teeth 25 along one edge of the travelling rack bar 23 and move said travelling rack bar to the left. As this occurs, the pivot bracket 26 will remain stationary-or fixed relative to the operating lever arm 33 and sash frame I so as to permit said travelling rack bar 23 to move to the left a slight amount and thereby withdraw the key 39 from the diametrically disposed slot 38 in the pivot pin 32 so as to permit free swinging movement of said'lever-arm 23. Upon continued travel of the rack bar 23, the inclined cam surface '18 of the cam block I1 will engage the end of the fulcrum lever 58 adjacent thepivot pin (it! and exert an outward force thereon and thereby move the pivot pins 41 and 60 off center with respect to the pivot pin '32. Upon continued movement of the trave ling rack bar 23 to the left, the pivot pin 32 is likewise moved to the left by reason of the fact that the pins 28 carried by the travelling rack bar-will have moved to the length of the longitudinal slot 21 from the right hand end thereof to the left hand end (Figure 2). The hand crank 72 may then be rotated to cause further swinging movement of the sash frame I by rocking the lever arm 33 on its movable fulcrum 50 and causing the same to be extended to any desired position of adjustment.

As the lower rail ll moves out ofthe plane of the lower rail 8 of the window frame, the free end of the lever arm 33 will have a tendency to move upwardly and in order to compensate for this upward swinging movement, the opening 3| for the pivot pin 32 may be slightly increased in diameter to allow for a slight wobble movement. The swinging movement at the opposite end of the lever arm 33 is accommodated by the rocking connection between the free end thereof and the guide bar 48. Similarly, the lateral rocking movement of the fulcrum lever 58 is provided for by forming the openings for the pivot pins 59 and of slightly increased diameter so that the fulcrum bar 58 may also follow the line of movementimparted thereto upon the outward swinging movement of the lever arm 33.

When it is des red to close the swinging sash I, the hand crank If is rotated in reverse direction to cause the travelling rack bar 23 to move to the right. As this occurs, the key 39 will engagethe-peripheral surface of the enlarged head 37 and force the pivot pin 32'likewise-to the right. Since the diametrically arranged slot 38 is out of registry with the key member 39 at the beginning of the movement to the right, it will be seen that thekey member will be prevented from entering the diametrically disposed slot 38 until such time as the swinging sash member I is in its fullyclosed position. After thetravelling rack bar 23 has thus been moved to the right, the lever arm 33 will collapse so that the free swinging end thereof will move inwardly to a position as shown in Figure I. When the swinging sash I has been closed, a final movement or force is exerted on the handle 12 of the hand crank H so as to cause the roller it which is carried by one end of the travelling rack bar 23 to engage the cam surface 64 of the fulcrumflever 53 and thereby impart an inward movement to the end 52 thereof. As

this occurs, the window sash l is given a closing movement so as to securely seat the flanges l and ll of the sash member on the flanges of the window frame 5; This final movement also causes the key member 39 to travel into the diametrically arranged slot 38 so as to be received therein and lock the pivot pin 32 as well as the lever arm 33 against rotation.

By reason of the fact that the lever arm 33 and fulcrum lever 58 are arranged with their pivotal connections 59 and 60 offset as shown in Figure 1, the window sash I may be swung horizontally with a very slight effort on the part of the operator and without imposing undue stressesand strains upon the linkage of the operatingmechanism.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred embodiment of the same and that various changes may be madein the shape, size and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

What I claim is:

1. A window operating mechanism for swinging sash members, comprising a travelling bar, a lever arm pivotally and slidably attached to the sash member and to the traveling bar, a fulcrum lever having one end pivoted to the lever arm and the opposite end pivoted to a fixed point, and manual operating mechanism for reciprocating said travelling bar, and interengageable cam mechanism connected to said travelling bar and said fulcrum lever and responsive to the final reciprocating movement of said bar to effect final closing pressure on said lever arm. v

2. A window operating mechanism for swinging sash members, comprising a travelling bar, a lever arm pivotally and slidably attached to the sash member and to the traveling bar, a fulcrum lever having one end pivoted to the lever arm and the opposite end pivoted to a fixed point, means for reciprocating said traveling bar, and interengageable cam mechanism connected to said traveling bar and said fulcrum lever and responsive to the initial reciprocating movement of said bar to effect initial opening pressure on said lever arm.

3. A window operating mechanism for swinging sash members, comprising a travelling bar, a lever arm pivotally and slidably attached to the sash member and to the travelling bar, a fulcrum lever having one 'end pivoted to the lever arm and the opposite end pivoted to a fixed point, means for reciprocating said traveling bar to open and close said sash member, and means on the traveling bar engageable with means on the fulcrum lever and responsive to the final and initial reci rocation thereof for exerting final closing and initial opening pressure on said lever arm.

4. A window operating mechanism for swinging sash members, comprising a travelling bar. a lever arm pivotally and slidably attached to the sash member and to the travelling bar, a fulcrum lever having one end pivoted to the lever arm and the opposite end pivoted to a fixed point, manual operating mechanism for reciprocating said traveling bar, and interengageable 'cam mechanism connected to said travelling bar and said fulcrum lever and responsive to the reciprocation of said bar to effect final closing and initial opening pressure on saidlever-"arm, v V '5. A vwindow'operating mechanism for attachment to a window. frame having a, vertically;-

8 swinging sash member, comprising a travelling rack bar movably mounted on said window frame and arranged for reciprocatory to and fro movement thereon; a lever arm pivotally and slidably connectedto the free swinging edge of said sash member, a pivot member connected to said frame and pivotally engaging the other end of said lever arm, and an offset lever having its end portions approximately parallel but offset laterally from one another and its intermediate portion bent relatively to said end portions, said offset lever having one of its ends pivoted to the window frame and its other end pivotally afllxed to the lever arm in spaced relation from the end thereof pivoted tothe travelling bar, the pivots of said lever arm and; the pivot of said ofiset lever thereonbeing disposedsubstantially in the plane of said sash member in its closed. position in said window frame and the pivotal connection of said offset lever to said window frame being offset laterallyoutside said plane.

6. A window operating mechanism for attachment to a vwindow frame having a vertically swinging sash member, comprising a travelling rack bar movably mounted on said window frame and arranged for reciprocatory to and fro movement thereon, a lever arm pivotally and slidably connected to the free swinging edge of said sash member, a pivot member connected to said frame andpivotally engaging the other end of said lever arm, and an offset lever having one of its ends pivoted to the window frame and its other end pivotally afiixed to the lever arm in spaced relation from the end thereof pivoted to the, travelling bar, said offset lever having a cam por-' tion thereon, the pivots of said lever arm and '7. A window operating mechanism for attachment to a window frame having a vertically swinging sash member, comprising a travelling rack bar movably mounted on said window frame and arranged for reciprocatory to and fro movement thereon, a lever arm pivotally and slidably connected to the free swinging edge of said sash member, a pivot member connected to said frame and pivotally engaging the other end of said lever arm, an offset lever having one of its ends pivoted to the window frame and its other end pivotally affixed to the lever arm in spaced relation from the end thereof pivoted to the travelling bar, the pivots of said lever arm and the pivot of said offset lever thereon being disposed substantially in the plane of. said sash member in its closed.

position in said window frame and the pivotal connection of said oifset" lever to said windowframe being offset laterally outside said Plane,

and a contact member on the travelling bar engageable with the offset portion of said offset lever for exerting a closing movement on said offset lever and lever arm during the final movement of said travelling bar.

rack bar movably mounted on said window frame and arranged for reciprocatory to and fro movement thereon, a lever arm pivotally and slidably connected to the free swinging edge of said sash member, a pivot member connected to said frame and pivotally engaging the other end of said lever arm, an offset lever having one of its ends pivoted to the window frame and its other end pivotally amxed to the lever arm in spaced relation from the end thereof pivoted to the travelling bar, the pivots of said lever arm and the pivot of said offset lever thereon being disposed substantially in the plane of said sash member in its closed position in said window frame and the pivotal connection of said offset lever to said window frame being offset laterally outside said plane, and an inclined cam member on the travelling bar engageable with said oifset lever at a location remote from its pivotal connection to said Window frame for exerting an initial opening force on said ofiset lever and lever arm in response to the initial movement of said travelling bar.

9. A window operating mechanism for attachment to a Window frame having a vertically swinging sash member, comprising a travelling rack bar movably mounted on said window frame and arranged for reciprocatory to and fro movement thereon, a lever arm pivotally and slidably connected to the free swinging edge of said sash member, a pivot member connected to said frame and pivotally engaging the other end of said lever arm, an offset lever having one of its ends pivoted to the window frame and its other end pivotally amxed to the lever arm in spaced relation from the end thereof pivoted to the trav- 10 elling bar, the pivots of said lever arm and the pivot of said offset lever thereon being disposed substantially in the plane of said sash member in its closed position in said window frame and the pivotal connection of said offset lever to said window frame being offset laterally outside said plane, a contact member on the travelling bar, and a cam portion on said offset lever inclined to the direction of travel of said bar ccoperably enga-geable upon final closing movement of the sash member to exert a final closing force on said sash member.

SAMUEL C. REYNAUD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 336,205 Mungiven Jan. 18, 1887 1,157,760 Cibulas Oct. 26, 1915 1,191,923 Quernheim et al. July 18, 1916 1,254,959 Anderson Jan. 29, 1918 1,279,903 Pond Sept. 24, 1918 1,724,011 Flagg Aug. 13, 1929 1,825,681 Sinnes Oct. 6, 1931 2,013,608 Jacobs Sept. 3, 1935 2,114,645 Van Benschoten Apr. 19, 1938 2,321,800 Cordrey et al. June 15, 1943 2,338,367 Trbojevich Jan. 4, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 17,398 Great Britain of 1891 9,382 Great Britain of 1911 

